TWO OWLS AND A SQUIRREL.............

Spring is on the way,  the verges are covered in snow drops and the  birds are thinking of future generations.

 The barn owls in the roof above our heads have survived the winter and will be laying soon. For the last two years we have had the young ringed by Paddy Jackson of Barn Owl Conservation.

At the other end of the roof we have a squirrel, we normally have kestrels or jackdaws

We spend most week ends in Northamptonshire at our house referred to as The Barn. Converted from 19th century agricultural buildings it is aptly named. It is a place to relax, garden, paint and go for walks........

I had my first order for a children's name picture from India this week end,  the power of the web never fails to amaze.

LARGE PICTURES MONSTERS AND OTHER THINGS.............

One of the largest pictures I have ever bought is finally about to get to the shop, a wonderful landscape in an amazing gilt frame,

Including the frame you need a pretty large room 6'7" high by a massive 11'9" wide or as we in Europe say 202 x 343 cm!

Paintings seem to be what I am buying at the moment soon to come are a couple of wonderful 19th century canvases one of a vegetarians nightmare,  the other of a magpie eating a camembert cheese

 

All of these paintings will be added to JULIA BOSTON  soon

In the meantime I have added a series of monsters to the 

children's name picture characters, brightly coloured and fun for kids they have joined the mice, clowns and dogs....

More of this at childrensnamepictures.com

The new monster department.............

  

It's been a long time.................

This is the most extraordinary and beautiful place not far from the motorway heading south from Calais. The road we most often take when going south to the house we have in the Var.  The Canadian War Memorial in Vimy, a remarkable tribute to the fallen of the first world war.

Designed by Walter Seymour Allward and unveiled in 1936, it is both magnificent and very moving, there is strange poignancy to the veiled figure looking out over the valley.


St Antonin du Var, where we spent the whole of September is a long drive to Provence, the house looks south towards the sea and St Tropez. In an un-spoilt area of olive groves and thickly wooded hills, good food and friendly people.
        

Christmas and the New Year in the snow with family and friends, London looked divine with a thick white overcoat......
















The shop is looking great and we have new stock in. The characters for the children's drawings are increasing and spring is on it's way.............more soon